Thomas Gary McDonald, 62, of Manassas, went home to be with the Lord on December 21, 2017.

Born December 27, 1954 in Charleston, SC, he was the son of the late John and Doris Schweiker McDonald. On December 15, 2001 in Massachusetts, he married the former Donna Elwell, who survives.

Tom started his career supporting our nations Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Program in 1979 when he hired into General Electric Ordnance Systems (GEOS) in Pittsfield, MA as a Field Engineer. In Charleston SC in 1984 he was the Test Director on the USS John C. Calhoun SSBN-630. In 1985 he took a promotion as the Squadron Representative in Bangor WA. In the mid 1990s as he led the first technical refresh of the FC System onboard SSBNs. In 1996 he transferred to Systems Engineering were he supervised all of the Fire Control Test berths. He left the FBM Program in 1998 and went to work at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) in Lenox, MA. Tom returned to the FBM Program in 2001 when he was hired by the United States Navy Program Management Office (PMO) Strategic Systems Program’s (SSP) in Pittsfield, MA. He transferred to SSP headquarters in the Washington Navy Yard (WNY) to work for the SSP Fire Control Branch in 2006. He took a promotion to lead one of the Launcher Branches sections in 2012. His technical expertise and work covered hands on installations during new construction as well as technical refreshes of hardware and software. He truly left a positive mark on a program critical to our national defense.

Tom was a member of the CERT Team for the City of Manassas; and a faithful member of All Saints Catholic Church, where he also was an active participant, Eucharistic Minister and member of the Knights of Columbus, George Brent Council #5332, 4th Degree Knight.

Surviving besides his beloved wife of 16 years, Donna McDonald of Manassas, are three children, Robert McDonald and his wife Amy of Smithfield; Carol McDonald and her husband Manolin of Massachusetts; Kathryn LeBlanc and her husband AJ also of Massachusetts; one step-son, David Jones and his wife Leah of Texas; one sister, Patricia McDonald and her husband Marcus of Summerville, SC; two brothers, George McDonald and his wife Mary Riley of Arlington; John McDonald and his wife Amalia of Charleston, SC; and three grandchildren, Corbin Jones; Macaela LeBlanc and DJ LeBlanc.

Tom was the most wonderful and loving husband, Dad, Papa to his grandkids, brother, neighbor, co-worker and always made friends everywhere he went. He would stop everything to help anyone and everyone. We have lost a truly awesome man. Words just cannot express the deep saddest he has left in our hearts here on this Earth. Heaven gained an angel who is now smiling down on all of us waiting for us to meet again.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 28, 2017 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Baker-Post Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 10001 Nokesville Road Manassas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 29, 2017 at All Saints Catholic Church, 9300 Stonewall Road, Manassas with Rev. Lee Roos serving as celebrant.

Interment will immediately follow in the Manassas City Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may take the form of a donation to Catholic Charities – Diocese of Arlington, 200 North Glebe Road, Suite 506, Arlington, VA 22203; The St. Vincent De Paul Society or the Bethany Food Pantry at the All Saints Catholic Church, 9300 Stonewall Road, Manassas, VA 20110.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Baker-Post Funeral Home & Cremation Center, under the direction of Michael Post. Please sign the guestbook at www.bakerpostfh.com.

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